Nanoscopic mechanical anisotropy in hydrogel surfaces

The bulk mechanical properties of soft materials have been studied widely, but it is unclear to what extent macroscopic behavior is reflected in nanomechanics. Using an atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging method called force spectroscopy mapping (FSM), it is possible to map the nanoscopic spatial distribution of Young's modulus, i.e. “stiffness,” and determine if soft or stiff polymer domains exist to correlate nano- and macro-mechanics. Two model hydrogel systems typically used in cell culture and polymerized by a free radical polymerization process, i.e. poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly(acrylamide) (PAam) hydrogels, were found to have significantly different nanomechanical behavior despite relatively similar bulk stiffness and roughness. PVP gels contained a large number of soft and stiff nanodomains, and their size was inversely related to crosslinking density and changes in crosslinking efficiency within the hydrogel. In contrast, PAam gels displayed small nanodomains occuring at low frequency, indicating relatively uniform polymerization. Given the responsiveness of cells to changes in gel stiffness, inhomogeneities found in the PVP network indicate that careful nanomechanical characterization of polymer substrates is necessary to appreciate complex cell behavior

Structural and electrochemical characterization of la2-xsrxtinio6-d

Fuel Cells, SOFCs, electrodes, structur

Presencia de metales pesados en Pato Mexicano (Anas diazi Ridgway)

Resumen Objetivo: identificar la presencia de metales pesados en órganos de Anas diazi (pato mexicano).   Metodología­/diseño: Revisión bibliográfica de publicaciones científicas. Resultados: Los metales pesados son partículas que se bioacumulan en los organismos, estos tienen repercusiones negativas a la salud, tales como afectar el crecimiento y desarrollo adecuado de los mismos. Para el estudio y análisis de partículas toxicas como los metales pesados se monitorea en su mayoría aves acuáticas.Estas aves habitan en humedales que se ven afectados por la presencia de metales pesados debido a las actividades antropogénicas desarrolladas cerca de estos, tales  como la ganadería, la industria y la caza furtiva de anátidos. Una de las cinco especies de anátidos registrados en México es  Anas diazi que habita en el altiplano centro y norte de México.Los principales metales pesados a los que están expuestos los anátidos son mercurio, arsénico, plomo y cromo.   Limitaciones del estudio /implicaciones: La contaminación por metales pesados se ha convertido en un problema de salud pública muy importante, dado el alto grado de gravedad o repercusión en los animales, plantas, agua, suelo, aire y el humano, teniendo como resultado afectaciones en la salud del organismo. Hallazgos/conclusiones: Se requieren implementar medidas de remediación en los humedales y exigir a las autoridades ambientales que se hagan cargo del asunto, exigiendo propuestas para la disminución de contaminación a industrias, minas o cualquier fuete de contaminación al medio ambiente por metales pesados

The Parol Evidence Rule in North Carolina

The KASCADE-Grande observatory was a ground-based air shower array dedicated to study the energy and composition of cosmic rays in the energy interval E = 1 PeV –1 EeV. The experiment consisted of different detector systems which allowed the simultaneous measurement of distinct components of air showers (EAS), such as the muon content. In this contribution, we study the total muon number and the lateral density distribution of muons in EAS detected by KASCADE-Grande as a function of the zenith angle and the total number of charged particles. The attenuation length of the muon content of EAS is also measured. The results are compared with the predictions of the SIBYLL 2.3 high-energy hadronic interaction model

Trends and outcome of neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer: A retrospective analysis and critical assessment of a 10-year prospective national registry on behalf of the Spanish Rectal Cancer Project

Introduction: Preoperative treatment and adequate surgery increase local control in rectal cancer. However, modalities and indications for neoadjuvant treatment may be controversial. Aim of this study was to assess the trends of preoperative treatment and outcomes in patients with rectal cancer included in the Rectal Cancer Registry of the Spanish Associations of Surgeons. Method: This is a STROBE-compliant retrospective analysis of a prospective database. All patients operated on with curative intention included in the Rectal Cancer Registry were included. Analyses were performed to compare the use of neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatment in three timeframes: I)2006–2009; II)2010–2013; III)2014–2017. Survival analyses were run for 3-year survival in timeframes I-II. Results: Out of 14, 391 patients, 8871 (61.6%) received neoadjuvant treatment. Long-course chemo/radiotherapy was the most used approach (79.9%), followed by short-course radiotherapy ± chemotherapy (7.6%). The use of neoadjuvant treatment for cancer of the upper third (15-11 cm) increased over time (31.5%vs 34.5%vs 38.6%, p = 0.0018). The complete regression rate slightly increased over time (15.6% vs 16% vs 18.5%; p = 0.0093); the proportion of patients with involved circumferential resection margins (CRM) went down from 8.2% to 7.3%and 5.5% (p = 0.0004). Neoadjuvant treatment significantly decreased positive CRM in lower third tumors (OR 0.71, 0.59–0.87, Cochrane-Mantel-Haenszel P = 0.0008). Most ypN0 patients also received adjuvant therapy. In MR-defined stage III patients, preoperative treatment was associated with significantly longer local-recurrence-free survival (p < 0.0001), and cancer-specific survival (p < 0.0001). The survival benefit was smaller in upper third cancers. Conclusion: There was an increasing trend and a potential overuse of neoadjuvant treatment in cancer of the upper rectum. Most ypN0 patients received postoperative treatment. Involvement of CRM in lower third tumors was reduced after neoadjuvant treatment. Stage III and MRcN + benefited the most